Guilty as charged.

‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”

In this chapter Samuel the prophet/judge of Israel is giving his farewell speech. By the tone and mood of it, he is hurt by the betrayal, and I cannot blame him. As a pastor, every time you lose a member or congregant it feels like a divorce, a betrayal.

And to be brutally honest… It sucks!

I know religious people will probably not even bother to read on because I said that, but that’s how it feels.

In my case, I could have been a better listener, leader and team player, But Samuel…

He didn’t let Gods Words fall to the ground, they didn’t have any charge of negligence, dereliction of duty, moral or ethical failure. NOTHING!

I remember saying to folks in jest, “I’m taking you off my prayer list.”

I never really thought about it much, but out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Deep down I really meant it.

I remember one time in the early ’90’s the group I was in did a few shows in the Miami area. While we were out of the hotel goofing around afterwards. Someone broke into our room and ripped off our merch. CD’s, hats, T-shirts, stickers. And some of our DJ’s albums. I called down 🔥 on the perps. I prayed like David prayed against his enemies. (I told you David was my Bible hero!) I may have even prayed the plagues of Egypt down on those fools. Can you tell I was upset? My band mates would clown me every so often about that incident, and I wasn’t playing, I meant it!

Thank God that we don’t get everything we say. Or pray.

…Ok back on track John,

Samuel has to vocalize this to the people, “I will not take you off my prayer list, and I will not stop leading you in the way you need to go.”

That’s hard! That’s love! That’s commitment!

He is essentially saying. Even though you have REJECTED the Lord as King, and me as your judge. I will NOT reject you!

I’m convicted!

I knew it the minute I read this verse.

I’m not going to lie, I wanted to pass this chapter over as well. Not because there is NOTHING to write about, but because there most definitely is!

I have sinned! I have cut folks off my prayer list that have rejected God, and me.

And here I confess my sin to the potential millions that could ever read this blog/post. I was wrong and I’m truly sorry.

So what can we learn from this chapter?

1. God is sovereign.

2. God is just.

3. God can fight His own battles.

4. God loves people.

5. We need to NOT let rejection and disappointment steer us off track from what we were called to do, and from whom we were called to minister to.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. Today it cut deep. Thank you for revealing something to me that was sin. Help me not to take rejection personally. And help me to honor you in all I do, say and write. Love you-John

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